Receptor-mediated transport of oligodeoxynucleotides into hepatic cells.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis was employed for a highly efficient transport of oligodeoxynucleotides into hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. The oligodeoxynucleotides were bound to the asialofetuin-poly-L-lysine conjugate and this complex was internalized by the cells via asialoglycoprotein receptor, an endocytic receptor unique for hepatocytes. Binding of the oligodeoxynucleotides to the complex dramatically increased their cellular uptake more than 20-fold. Chloroquine, a lysosomatropic agent, further increased the transport of the complex but not of the free oligodeoxynucleotides.